Private Marlin Fishing Charter Los Suenos Experience
Why Book a Private Marlin Charter in Los Suenos
Los Suenos is known as the Billfish Capital of the World, and it earns the name. The marina sits in Herradura Bay, less than 90 minutes from San Jose International Airport, with deep water and the continental shelf drop-off close by. It is also home to the Los Suenos Triple Crown tournaments, where boats release dozens of marlin and sailfish over a single weekend.
A private charter puts all of that to work for your group alone. No shared deck, no strangers on the rods, and a crew that is focused on your goals from the first line in the water. Whether you are a seasoned billfish angler, a family on vacation or a corporate group hosting clients, you set the tone for the day.
What Makes a Private Charter Different
Your pace. Stay on billfish all day, or switch to yellowfin tuna and dorado when you want steady action on the rods.
Hands-on crew. The mates work one-on-one with your group. First-timers get coaching from hookup to release, and experienced anglers can handle their own pitch baits.
Room to relax. Only your guests are aboard, and our boats carry up to 5 anglers each. Cool off in the cabin between bites.
Flexible plans. Read the water with the captain and adjust the day as conditions change.
Want to meet the people behind the boats? Read more about Dream Boats CR.
Marlin You Can Target in Los Suenos
Three marlin species swim these waters. Blue marlin are the main target on most offshore days, striped marlin bring acrobatics, and black marlin show up less often near deepwater structure.
Species | Typical weight | How we target them |
Blue marlin | 200 to 400+ lb | Trolled lures and ballyhoo, pitch baits, dredges |
Striped marlin | 100 to 200 lb | Rigged ballyhoo, teasers, lighter tackle |
Black marlin | 300 to 600+ lb | Live bait fished around reefs and seamounts |
For a closer look at each fish, visit our marlin fishing page, or read our guides to blue marlin season and what to expect and striped marlin peak season.
Marlin are rarely the only action. The same trolling runs often raise sailfish, yellowfin tuna, dorado, and wahoo, so the rods tend to stay busy.
Best Time for Marlin Fishing in Los Suenos
Marlin are caught here every month of the year. The seasons shift which species leads:
December to March: striped marlin are at their best, and sailfish numbers climb from January through April.
April and November: a transition period where you can see both blue and striped marlin on the same day.
May to October: the green season, when blue marlin peak around the offshore seamounts and drop-offs.
Planning around a specific month? Our month-by-month marlin guide breaks it down.
Catch and Release, Every Time
Every billfish on a Dream Boats CR trip is released alive. We fish circle hooks, keep fight times as short as we can, and bring each marlin boatside for a quick photo and a revive before it swims off. Tuna, dorado, and wahoo are a different story, and the crew will happily clean and pack your catch for the table.
The Boats: Built for Big Pelagics
Marlin grounds are a real run from the dock, so the boat matters. Dream Boats CR fishes two Luhrs express sportfishers powered by twin Cummins diesels, each carrying up to 5 guests:
Boat | Length | Cruising speed | Guests |
Dream II (320 tournament open express) | 32 ft | 24 knots | Up to 5 |
Luhrs Express | 36 ft | 22 knots | Up to 5 |
Both boats are set up with a fighting chair and a stand-up harness option, so you can fight a fish the way you like. We fish tournament-grade tackle from Shimano, St. Croix and Fin-Nor, with Black Bart lures in the spread, and every rod is rigged with circle hooks. Compare both boats and ask about rates on our boats page.
What a Full Day Looks Like
Marlin trips are full-day charters of 8 to 9 hours, because the fish are 20 to 35 miles offshore.
Check in at the marina. Meet at the Maverick Sportfishing Center on the commercial pier at Los Suenos Marina. Your captain walks you to the boat and reviews the plan for the day.
Early departure. We leave the dock around 7:00 AM, collecting fresh bait on the way out of Herradura Bay.
The run to blue water. Expect 60 to 90 minutes to reach the drop-offs while the captain watches temperature breaks, current lines, birds and spinner dolphins.
Setting the spread. The crew puts out four to six lines: teasers, dredges and rigged ballyhoo on circle hooks.
The strike. When a marlin lights up behind a teaser, the mate pitches a bait. Once it is hooked, your crew coaches you through the fight, which can last anywhere from 20 minutes to more than an hour.
The release and the ride home. Each fish is revived and released. We are typically back at the dock between 4:00 and 4:30 PM.
Many guests also pair the day with a stop on a tuna school. Our tuna fishing guide for Jaco and Herradura explains how the dolphins lead us to them.
What Is Included on Your Private Charter
The whole boat, a licensed captain and a bilingual mate for your group only
All tackle, fresh and rigged bait, lures and ice
A light breakfast and lunch prepared by Los Suenos Marina
Cold drinks, including local beer
Fuel for the day
Not included: your INCOPESCA fishing license for each angler, crew gratuity, and transportation to the marina.
Pricing and How to Book
Rates depend on the boat, the length of the trip, and your group size. Tell us your dates and group, and we will send current availability and pricing.
Booking takes a few minutes. Use our contact page, email info@dreamboatscr.com, or message us on WhatsApp at +506 8361 6621.
Getting here is simple. Los Suenos Marina is under 90 minutes from San Jose International Airport, and our Los Suenos and Costa Rica pages cover where to stay and what else to do on the coast.
What to Bring
Fishing license: every angler needs a valid INCOPESCA license before leaving the dock.
Sun protection: polarized sunglasses, a hat, SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen and light long sleeves.
Footwear: non-marking boat shoes or sandals.
Motion sickness medication: take it an hour before departure, even if the forecast looks calm.
A camera: a waterproof phone case is handy for release photos.
After your trip, you can also request a fishing certificate for your catch. Browse our photo gallery to see what a day on the boat looks like.
What Guests Say
One recent guest called it the best Costa Rica fishing vacation they had ever taken, and thanked the crew for a billfish grand slam. Another group of six friends reported catching billfish early, then following the dolphins to a tuna school and landing more than ten fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is included in a private marlin charter?
You get the boat, captain, and bilingual mate to yourselves, plus tackle, bait, ice, a light breakfast, lunch, and cold drinks. Fishing licenses and crew gratuity are separate. See the full list in the section above.
2.Can beginners go marlin fishing?
Yes. The crew rigs the spread, spots the fish, and guides you through the hookup and the fight. No experience is needed, and first-time marlin anglers are welcome on every trip.
3.How long is a marlin trip?
Plan on a full day of 8 to 9 hours. The grounds sit 20 to 35 miles offshore, and the run takes 60 to 90 minutes each way, so a half day is not enough time to work them properly. Multi-day trips are available for anglers who want to reach the offshore seamounts.
4.When is the best time to catch a marlin?
Marlin are caught year-round. Striped marlin peak from December to March, and blue marlin peak from May to October. Read the month-by-month guide for more detail.
5.Do you keep the marlin?
No. All billfish are released alive. Tuna, dorado and wahoo can be kept, and the crew will clean and pack them for you.
6.Are private charters good for kids and families?
Yes. Our trips are family-friendly, and a private boat means you control the pace. Younger children may prefer a shorter inshore day, which our crew can arrange. See the Roosterfish page for an inshore option.
7.What happens if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first. If conditions are unsafe, we will reschedule your trip or refund you in full.
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